C3 C3 – D3 D3 – G3 G4 pitch error for tuning? edit

The tuning for a three-string phandar is given as c–d–g′, which matches with the musical instruments database link. All fine and good. But the pitches given for three-course double-strung tuning is cc–dd–gg′, which is not at all clear: Should the prime on the last g be matched on the prior g, or is it right as-written?

The Helmholtz pitch notation cc–dd–gg′ translates to scientific pitch notation C3 C3 – D3 D3 – G3 G4 , but if the two g strings actually are supposed to be on the same pitch, not an octave apart, it has to be written cc–dd–g′g′ ; in Helmholtz notation, each individual note gets its own prime – if that's what's intended.

So which is it supposed to be, really?

I can't figure which way it should go by guessing: Lots of double-strung instruments (e.g. mandolin-family instruments) have some of the doubled strings (often the lowest pitch) strung to two different octaves, for richer tone. However, the phandar / pondar is customarilly strung with three single courses, and the most conservative innovation would be to keep all of the doubled strings identical: The purpose of double stringing is mainly to increase the volume of a small-bodied instrument, not to change its tone.
Astro-Tom-ical (talk) 02:26, 6 September 2022 (UTC)Reply